The University of New Mexico Office of Student Financial Aid has an office located in the law school, room 2514. Please email financial aid officer Carol Cravens, or call 505.277.9035 for assistance. All financial aid supporting documents for law students, including any requested forms or paperwork, should be sent directly to Ms. Cravens at the law school.
To apply for financial aid at the University of New Mexico School of Law, all U.S. citizens and permanent residents must submit the Department of Education’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Completing Your Financial Aid File
All students must sign an "Authorization to Pay Allowable Charges" form, which authorizes UNM to use the students' financial aid to pay for allowable charges such as tuition/fees. The form may be downloaded from the Student Financial Aid Office website, and submitted to Carol Cravens in the Law School Financial Aid Office.
Admitted students will be able to access LoboWeb through MyUNM to view the status of their financial aid file. You may look under "Unsatisfied Requirements" to see if there are any additional documents required to complete your financial aid file.
Awarding Loans
Once you are admitted and the School of Law Financial Aid Office has received all required documents to complete your file, you will be awarded Stafford Student Loans for the maximum amount you are eligible for based on your cost of attendance. The maximum amount for graduate/professional students is $20,500 for the academic year. You may reduce or cancel your loan by notifying Carol Cravens.
Complete a Master Promissory Note
Because all student loans are now processed directly through the Department of Education, you will need to sign a promissory note with them for your loans by going to http://www.studentloans.gov. You will need to sign one for your Unsubsidized Loan and if you are taking out a Grad Plus Loan, you will need to sign another note for that. Once signed, the Master Promissory Notes are good for 10 years and for whatever loan amount is disbursed.
Complete Online Entrance Counseling
If you have not taken out student loans before, you will need to complete Entrance Counseling online by going to http://www.studentloans.gov.
Grad Plus Loans
This loan is credit-based, with a slightly higher interest rate than the federal Unsubsidized Student Loan and will be awarded up to your cost of attendance, minus any other financial aid you have. If your request for this loan is denied based on your credit standing, you may still be eligible with a co-signer. It is important to notify Carol Cravens in the law school financial aid office if you do not wish to take out a Grad Plus Loan, or if you would like the Grad Plus Loan you have been awarded to be reduced.
Alternative Student Loans
These may be taken out when you do not meet other loan criteria or need additional educational funding. These loans are credit-based and usually have a higher interest rate than the Grad Plus, depending on the lender. If interested in taking out a private, alternative loan you will need to contact your lender directly.
Disbursement
Disbursement occurs each semester, usually the first week of classes. Provided you are enrolled in classes and all requirements have been completed, semester aid will disburse to your student account and pay toward your balance first. If you have a refund after this has occurred it will be sent to you by the Bursars' Office either via Direct Deposit that you have set up, or mailed to your current address. To set up Direct Deposit, sign into LoboWeb and click "Make Payments," then your "UNM Account Suite," then "Refunds," then "Payment Profile."
The priority application deadline is May 1, 2013 for all grants and scholarships.
Each year, the law school awards a limited number of need-based grants to full-time students from funds provided by private donors. Applying for law school need-based grants is a one-step process. Simply file a Need Access application online at Access Group. There is a $28 processing fee for new applicants and a $15 fee for renewals.
All applicants for law school need-based grants must also either provide parental information or sign the Certification of Financial Independence. Applicants who were claimed as dependents during the most recent tax year must provide parental information. By filing the Need Access application, you will be considered for all law school grants for which you are eligible.
No application is necessary for most merit-based grants. Your application to the UNM School of Law will be evaluated automatically for merit awards. Awards are based on test scores, grades, academic achievements, recommendations and extracurricular and community involvement. Due to UNM’s very reasonable tuition rates, the cost of attending the UNM School of Law remains low. Accordingly, the number of merit-based awards is limited.
Need-based and merit grants are possible due to the generosity of our donors. A list of donors of grant funds is available at Donor List.
Contact Assistant Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid Jeffery Dubinski-Neessen if you have any questions about Need-based or Merit-based awards.
The following scholarships require special application. Each scholarship requires a letter of interest explaining why an individual should be selected, an unofficial transcript accompanied by a transcript release form and a resume.
Scholarships will be awarded for the Fall 2012 and Spring 2013 semesters. Please see the descriptions below for specific criteria.
Deadline for all scholarships listed below is May 1. Students wishing to apply for any of these scholarships should submit the required materials to Laura Delwiche in the law school Admission and Financial Aid Office.
The Esteban A. Aguilar scholarship is a $5000.00 scholarship to be awarded annually in the Fall to a third-year law student who has demonstrated interest and excellence in the area of trial practice. Academic achievement in related subjects of evidence, trial practice, civil procedure, pre-trial practice, client counseling and/or professional responsibility should be demonstrated and will be considered. It is understood that not all applicants will have taken all of these courses. The student may also have participated in mock trial competition. Applicants who have participated in mock trial competition(s) should indicate that in their application.
The Jackson Lewis Scholarship in Workplace and Labor Law will provide one scholarship annually valued at $5,000.00 to be awarded to a student who has demonstrated an interest in, or an aptitude for, employment or labor law, preferably to someone who is underrepresented in the profession. Jackson Lewis LLP, is one of the nation's leading labor and employment law firms and has initiated a national scholarship program, attached to cities where they maintain offices, to reward students who focus on the practice of workplace and labor law. The scholarship is designed to encourage student interest in, and raise awareness of, the field of workplace and labor law.
The Judge Mayo T. Boucher Scholarship, established in memory of Judge Boucher, is awarded to a second- or third-year student with substantial ties to Valencia County. To apply, please submit an unofficial transcript with release form, a resume and a letter of no more than 500 words demonstrating your ties to Valencia County and explaining why you are best qualified to receive the Boucher Award.
The Richard Gonzales Employment and Labor Law Scholarship will be awarded to a second- or third-year law student interested in a career in employment and/or labor law.
To apply, you must submit an unofficial law school transcript with release form, resume detailing your experience and a cover letter (1,000 words maximum) explaining why you are best qualified to receive the scholarship. Applications will be reviewed by the selection committee, comprised of law school faculty, a member of the State Bar’s Employment and Labor Section and the assistant dean of admissions and financial aid.
The Captain Richard L. Klein Scholarship was established at the law school in memory of Richard L. Klein, a 1971 graduate. To apply, a student must submit an unofficial law school transcript (first-year students submit undergraduate transcripts) with release form, a resume and a cover letter explaining why he/she is best qualified to receive the scholarship. In addition, the following criteria must be met: demonstrate financial need, be enrolled as a full-time student and be an active or former member of the United States Marine Corps.
The Joseph J. Mullins Scholarship has been established in memory of Mr. Mullins, an Albuquerque attorney. The scholarship will be awarded to a student with demonstrated interest and experience in Domestic Relations Law.
To apply, please submit an unofficial transcript and a one-page statement describing your experiences and interest in Domestic Relations Law and explaining why you believe you should be selected to receive the award and how it will help to support your legal education and goals.
The Cochran scholarship is awarded to a second- or third-year student who has demonstrated commitment to serving the Black community, including service to civic, educational and religious organizations. This service can be in the form of volunteer or paid positions, and should evidence leadership abilities. The recipient of this award must also have demonstrated academic achievement (minimum GPA 2.25).
The U.M. Rose Scholarship, established by a bequest from the estate of Betsy B. Rose, provides financial assistance for UNM law students from southeastern New Mexico. The scholarship is administered by the Center for Civic Values.
To apply, please submit an unofficial transcript, a resume and a one-page statement demonstrating your ties to southeastern New Mexico and explaining why you believe you should be selected to receive the award and how it will help to support your legal education and goals.
Carlos F. Vigil was an attorney who had an extraordinary sense of justice and commitment to the defense of those persons who most needed caring and effective representation in the courts of law. He served the poor, the impoverished and the most helpless members of the community, assisting many people for little or no compensation.
To apply, a student must submit a law school transcript (first-year applicants submit undergraduate transcripts), a resume detailing his/her experience, and a cover letter (1,000 words maximum) explaining why he/she is best qualified to receive the scholarship according to the following criteria:
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